Rich Conversations

New Delhi native, Shikhambri, shares her experience of moving to Osaka, Japan and living life as an artist. She describes what she's learned about Japanese culture and discusses her creative process painting. Shikhambri tells Rich what her recent gallery exhibition was like.

Rich shares his upcoming trip up to Wisconsin to shoot a short film with music duo, Bonelang. He reflects on recent international conversations and how they've expanded his perspective. Rich also shares what he's excited about coming up: a trip to New York. What're you excited about in your life?

Rich reads chapter 6 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. The Eye of Basketball. This recording focuses on Jackson weaving Lakota Native American beliefs into his vision for the Chicago Bulls. On Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of Sacred Hoops. Subheadings in the chapter: The Eagle's View Fish Don't Fly Building Consensus Empowering the Team Celluloid Dreams The Way of the Warrior The...

Self-taught data scientist Vlad Yashin joins us from Hamburg, Germany. Lately, I’m curious about how we use data in the Information Age we live in. What is data? Can anything be data? And how can we use it to make better decisions in the future for ourselves and the public good? We talk about a number of subjects, including Hamburg, data science, and travel. You can follow him on Instagram @vladya...

Rich shares the importance of having peace of mind. Identifying the source of anxiety and addressing it in a proactive manner. Rich discusses his new way of organizing books and how he treated himself to something special.

Sindre Kristiansen joins the show from Oslo, Norway. He shares insights about the people and the culture of the European country. Sindre explores his curiosity through photography and studying psychology. Our communities can be stronger with more empathy and compassion.

Rich travels down to the neighborhood of Bridgeport in South Side Chicago to pick up a lent book. "Awareness" by Anthony DeMello. It's about Love and Fear in the world. Rich shares thoughts on having expectations of others (especially when lending books).

Rich visits the Field Museum and, in the Sue Ling Gin Garden, reflects on the ability to find loose threads in life to live better. He provides the example a podcast guest mentioning the classical artist, Bach, and diving into their work.

Rich reads chapter 5 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. Selflessness in Action. This recording focuses on Jackson's experience as an assistant coach of the Chicago Bulls. The staff's biggest problem to solve: How can we open the offense so that more teammates are involved rather than stand around awestruck by Michael Jordan's supreme gifts? Every Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of S...

Juan Diana joins the podcast from Montevideo, Uruguay. He shares what the culture of the city and country is like. Juan tells his experience with technology from the perspective of a software engineer. Rich and Juan talk music and Juan's recent trip to Spain hiking the Camino de Santiago.

Rich reads chapter 4 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. Experiments in the Cockroach Basketball League. This recording focuses on Jackson's coaching experience in the CBA and Puerto Rico League. Every Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of Sacred Hoops. Subheadings in the chapter: Seeding the Group Mind The Practice of Acceptance The Art of Chaos The Howl of the Ego When Right Action Me...

Joining us from Kolkata, India, Sreoshi Bakshi is the first international guest on the podcast. Rich learns more about the artistic city of Kolkata and the country of India as a whole. He learns the impact of the Freedom Fighters of the early 20th century and much more. Sreoshi shares her writing experience and thought process.

Rich and Felipe catch one last White Sox game to send off summer. As the weather cools and Chicago glides into its Autumn groove, we hope for a Brewers-White Sox World Series. The Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-3.

Rich sits on a park bench and reflects on the surrealness of self-evolution. To make an impact on the world, start with yourself. Then your local community. Then your region. Then your country. And then the world. Rich is excited to realize the vision of the podcast direction, including having conversations with international guests in upcoming episodes.

Rich reads chapter 3 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. If You Met the Buddha in the Lane, Feed Him the Ball. This recording focuses on Jackson's spiritual exploration. Every Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of Sacred Hoops. Subheadings in the chapter: Reawakening Zen Bones Where the Rivers Meet Change: The Uninvited Guest Death and Rebirth  

Drummer Collin O'Brien returns to the show after two years. He shares his experience touring and recording with Neal Francis. He describes his experience playing the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and the development of his pre-show routine involving intentional breathing techniques. Rich and Collin also talk about working at Lincoln Station in Chicago.

Rich reflects on the wisdom nature can teach us if we observe the world around us. He sits on a dead tree in the woods and thinks how dead things break easily, whereas things that are alive are flexible.

Rich reads chapter 2 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. A Journey of Thousand Miles Starts with One Breath. This recording is Jackson's background growing up in Montana and his experience winning two championships as a player for the New York Knicks. Every Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of Sacred Hoops. Subheadings in the chapter: The Battleground of the Mind My Savior: Basketball...

Is the American Dream still achievable in poor, white communities? After a recommendation, Rich reads "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance. Vance shares his own story growing up in a culture in crisis. Rich shares his experience moving from the farm to Chicago as an eighteen-year-old.

Rich makes a mistake. How does one proceed?

Felipe Hernandez returns to the show after a year. Rich and Felipe talk about their summers, soccer and the Sox, music, and working on the CTA cleaning train cars.

Rich visits the Field Museum in Chicago on an "Information Processing Day." As motivated lifelong learners, we're always gathering new information. If we don't take the time to take a step back to evaluate and adapt based on that information, we can't grow. So what may seem to the outside as a light workday, it is often the heaviest.

Rich reads chapter 1 of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. The Second Coming (aka Michael Jordan returns from his hiatus). Every Sunday we honor the Sabbath by reading a chapter of Sacred Hoops. Subheadings in the chapter: That Old-Time Religion The Myth of the Superhero The Soul of Teamwork

While on a walk to the lake, Rich expands his thoughts on reading Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow and how he's applied the knowledge from it in his own life. The importance of digitally documenting oneself authentically for future generations. His experience with data and analytics with his YouTube channel. And how we're living in the most peaceful time in human history, yet there are concerns lo...

Rich recaps reading The Death of Ivan Ilych. Considered a masterpiece on the subject of "death and dying." A successful careerist becomes injured and it turns out to be terminal. How will someone who hasn't reflected on life respond?